Dear Partner,

Last month I wrote about the two burly men I had seen joyfully carrying out the trash during the Kingdom Finance Conference in Houston. As I watched them the Holy Spirit said, "Holiness unto the Lord." Later, back home in Tulsa, I found this passage of scripture when I searched for those words in the bible:

Zec 14:20-21   In that day the bells on the horses will have written on them, "These Are Holy Property"; and the trash cans in the Temple of the Lord will be as sacred as the bowls beside the altar. In fact, every container in Jerusalem and Judah shall be sacred to the Lord Almighty; all who come to worship may use any of them free of charge to boil their sacrifices in; there will be no more grasping traders in the Temple of the Lord Almighty!
(Living Bible Translation)

After they read last month's letter, I heard back from both of those men. One of them wrote a testimony that so blessed me I asked permission to share it with you this month. Now, picture this guy. He is a big man with tattoos all down his arms. Like I said last month, you would not want to meet him in a dark alley if he had not been saved. He is intimidating, to say the least. But listen to the power of the gospel to change a big, tough guy … and listen to the joy of serving "behind the scenes" in the Kingdom of our Lord:

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Yes Sir. That was Tim and I carrying out the trash. Gary, anything I do "As unto the Lord" I do to the very best of my ability. I'm in the telecommunication business. I do all the church telephone, voicemail and data needs. I have never charged the church any cost at all. I feel it is my honor and my privilege to do anything I can "As unto The Lord". When the church asks for volunteers to do stuff and some folks show up, they want to do the cool stuff and not necessarily the ordinary stuff. If they are asked to do the ordinary stuff, sometimes they feel like, "That's not why I'm here" and can get offended. (There is that "I and My" thing you taught on). When it is "As unto the Lord," whatever it is, I consider it a blessing that the Lord would use me in any way. It's not a works thing. It's a heart thing.

Another Golden nugget I got from you is, "I simply refuse to be offended." There is such freedom in refusing to be offended.

I grew up in the 5th ward, Houston's East side. I looked like a grain of salt in a pepper shaker. I fought my way to school and home from school every day. I spent six years in the US Army Green Beret Special Forces. I Got out and re-enlisted in the Marine Corps. I spent another six years in the Marine Corps before getting busted up and medically retiring. During the time in between the Army and the Marine Corps I hung steel for Brown and Root. I rode a Harley for many years and lived the life that goes with it. I've always been a tough guy.

But in September 1994 I asked the Lord Jesus into my life. Now, it is my honor and my privilege to do anything I can "As unto The Lord." Thank you Gary for your website and the teachings you have placed there and thank you for being such a huge part of the Kingdom Finance Conference.

Carl,
The Telephone Man

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What a wonderful testimony of a "tough guy" who now finds his greatest joy in serving the King who suffered and died in his place. What do we owe Jesus? We owe Him … EVERYTHING! I can tell from Carl's testimony that he knows what I mean every time I say, "We are not hired in the Kingdom of God. We are owned!"

1 Cor 7:23   You have been bought and paid for by Christ, so you belong to him--be free now from all these earthly prides and fears. (Living Bible)

The world doesn't esteem very highly those who take out the garbage or offer their telephone services at no charge to help promote the gospel. But freedom from worldly pride releases us to purely enjoy every task for HIM who purchased us with His own blood. I have preached the gospel in large meetings in America, Europe, and Asia. I have taught in meetings where there were thousands in attendance. I have also spent hours on my knees trying to scrub stains off the carpet at the Prayer Center. I find no difference in my "heart joy" no matter what I am doing, just so long as I am serving the King.

No matter what you are doing today in the Kingdom, highly esteemed or "behind the scenes" where nobody sees or applauds your efforts. The only thing that really matters is … your King knows and He is watching your service for Him. It is joy unspeakable and full of glory to serve the risen Savior.

Sue and I love you and appreciate you. We thank God for your generous and giving heart. God bless you!

Your friend and co-laborer,

Gary Carpenter

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